How To Choose A Plastic Surgeon

Medical professionals in the United States have well-defined, stringent requirements for their professional training in every specialty. Experienced cosmetic plastic surgeons are accredited by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and belong to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

1. Qualifications count - Medical professionals in the United States have well-defined, stringent requirements for their professional training in every specialty. Experienced cosmetic plastic surgeons are accredited by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and belong to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The first thing you need to do is check on these Web sites to make sure the physician you are considering is fully accredited.

Basic accreditation is only the beginning of assuring a physician's qualifications.

Finally, involvement in professional associations indicates that a physician is keeping pace with changes in the profession. Look at the physician's biography to see if he/she is a member of the above professional organizations.

2. Experience matters - The best indicator of how well a physician performs a particular procedure is how frequently s/he has performed it in the past. Make sure you ask about the doctor's experience doing the specific procedure you are considering with the particular techniques s/he is recommending. And don't just get a count. Find out how many of those procedures were successful. Talk to past patients to get a first-hand account of their experience with the physician. Look at before and after pictures and draw your own conclusion.

3. Comfort rules - Even if a physician is fully qualified and experienced with a procedure, that person may not be right for you. You need a physician who communicates openly with you, answers your questions and gives you the time you need to understand the technicalities. You need a physician who appears to have the same expectation for the outcome as you do. Most importantly, you need a person you can trust to advise you when the choices aren't black and white. Be sure you are completely comfortable with your choice of physician so that during stressful periods immediately before, during and after the surgery or procedure, you'll be taken care of the way you need.

Here are some tips to help you achieve a satisfying experience with your cosmetic or plastic surgery.

Talk to your physician and make sure you understand all the risks associated with any procedure you are considering - both common and uncommon risks. Make sure you are comfortable with the risks before proceeding.

Be completely forthright with your physician about your medical history and status. Something you may consider minor could significantly impact the success of your procedure.

Obtain pre-surgery or pre-procedure instructions from your physician no less than two weeks prior to the scheduled date. Some pre-surgical actions, in particular, such as not smoking or taking ibuprofen products, may require two weeks of time to be effective. Make sure you read all pre-procedure instructions in advance and adhere to them completely. Any exceptions or variations may require you to reschedule your procedure.

Ask for post-surgical instructions before you go for your procedure so that you can prepare by purchasing any prescriptions and supplies. This way you'll have everything you need on hand as soon as you return home.

Line up a friend or family member to take you to and from your procedure if any form of anesthesia is being used. You won't be allowed to leave without someone to drive you home and you'll probably need the help for the first 24 hours.

Dave Stringham is the President of LookingYourBest.com an online resource for plastic surgery in Los Angeles. Learn more about breast augmentation and cosmetic surgery procedures.


By Dave Stringham